Mata hopes United warm to the task

13 February 2014 02:31

United slipped 11 points behind fourth-placed Liverpool on Wednesday after an underwhelming goalless draw at Arsenal.

One advantage United have over their rivals is that they have nine days until their next match, which is away at Crystal Palace.

So while Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Everton and Liverpool take part in the FA Cup, United have decided to embark on a short break to Dubai.

When they return, Mata hopes United will be ready to push for that Champions League place which currently seems to be slipping through their fingers.

"We are going to rest a bit, train as a group and prepare ourselves for the rest of the season," Mata said.

"Once we come back from this mini break hopefully we will win many matches."

Mata has only been on the winning side once since his £37.1million transfer from Chelsea.

Moyes started by playing Mata in the number 10 position against Cardiff, but the Spaniard began the clash at the Emirates on the left flank.

Moyes has a wealth of options when it comes to attacking midfielders so it will take a while before the Scot works out the best way to integrate the former Valencia man into his starting line-up.

Mata insists he is happy to play wherever his manager chooses, though.

"Throughout my career I have played on the left, on the right and just behind the striker," Mata said.

"I don't mind playing anywhere the manager tells me."

It is easy to understand why Mata is content to be shifted around the United team.

After spending most of the first half of the season on the bench at Chelsea, Mata is just happy to be on the pitch.

And having found a place to live in Manchester, Mata finally seems to have finally found contentment in the north west after a difficult six-month period which has put the player's chances of playing in the World Cup in jeopardy.

"I am happy at the club, very happy," Mata said.

"I am enjoying my football, I am getting minutes on the pitch, I am in a very, very big club and I hope we finish the season well.

"David De Gea has helped me settle, the same with Chicharito (Javier Hernandez), (Antonio) Valencia, and Rafael, they all speak Spanish but everyone there has helped me.

"People like (Ryan) Giggs have been here for many years and there's (Wayne) Rooney and (Robin) van Persie, they have all treated me phenomenally well."